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BJD Rejects Odisha Bandh After Joining Delhi Opposition Protest
The BJD is a political party in Odisha.
Its members joined other opposition politicians at a protest in Delhi.
The protest called for election official Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The next day, the BJD said it would not take part in a planned shutdown across Odisha.
The party said joining the Delhi protest was about that issue only.
It also said it does not belong to either the INDIA bloc or the NDA.
The shutdown is planned for October 8 and is backed by 10 opposition parties.
Those parties say they are protesting changes to a mining law, alleged removal of voters’ names, and education issues.
The BJD said it would not support the Opposition alliance’s 12-hour Odisha bandh on Thursday.
The announcement came a day after BJD members joined a Congress-led protest in New Delhi demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
BJD leaders said the party’s Delhi participation was specific to the issue and did not mean it had joined the INDIA bloc.
The bandh is scheduled for October 8, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is backed by 10 INDIA bloc parties, including Left parties.
Organizers cited the Mines and Minerals amendment, alleged voter deletions during the SIR exercise, and education issues in Odisha.
- Who
- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Congress-led Opposition alliance, and 10 INDIA bloc parties backing the bandh.
- What
- The BJD said it would not support a 12-hour Odisha bandh, despite joining an Opposition protest in New Delhi the previous day.
- Where
- The bandh is planned across Odisha; the earlier protest took place in New Delhi.
- When
- The bandh is scheduled for October 8, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the BJD announced its decision on Wednesday.
- Why
- The bandh organizers cite the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, alleged voter-name deletions during the SIR exercise, and education issues in Odisha.
Bandh supporters
BJD
Whether to support the Odisha shutdown
Bandh supporters
The Congress-led Opposition alliance called a statewide bandh and has the backing of 10 INDIA bloc parties.
BJD
The BJD said it would not support the shutdown and is not part of a political bloc.
Meaning of BJD’s Delhi protest participation
Bandh supporters
The BJD joined a protest with Congress and other Opposition parties calling for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
BJD
BJD leaders said participation was specific to the issue and did not signify alignment with the INDIA bloc.
Key facts
- Bandh date and duration
- October 8, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- BJD decision
- The party said it would not support the bandh.
- Bandh leadership
- The shutdown was called by the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.
- Supporting parties
- Ten INDIA bloc parties, including Left parties, are backing the bandh.
- Delhi protest demand
- Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- BJD position
- BJD leaders said the party maintains equidistance from the BJP and Congress and is not part of a political bloc.
- Issues cited for bandh
- A mining-law amendment, alleged voter deletions during the SIR exercise, and education issues in Odisha.
Quotes
Pramila Mallik
Senior BJD leader
“As a responsible political party, the BJD has maintained equal distance from both the INDIA bloc and the NDA. By participating in the march, the BJD is seeking to protect democratic institutions and the integrity of the electoral process.”
thestatesman.com
“Our party will not support Thursday’s shutdown. BJD is not a constituent of any political bloc. Our leader Naveen Patnaik has always believed in maintaining equidistance from both the BJP and Congress.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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